Colbert riffs put to paper

Anchor to pen a Book Report

With his show a ratings smash, Stephen Colbert is putting pen to paper for a comedy tome.

Title will be published in September 2007 by Warner Books, the same imprint that released “America (The Book),” the bestseller by “The Daily Show” scribes.

Colbert garnered a solid seven figures for the deal, insiders said.

Still-untitled book will feature many Colbert riffs but is not expected to feature an illustrated component like that of “America,” which memorably included a collage of naked Supreme Court justices.

And unlike that title, Colbert will primarily write this book himself instead of collaborating with his writing team, insiders said.

Colbert was a contributor to “America” but not a lead writer.

“This book will have the same noble goal as my television show: to change the world one factual error at a time,” Colbert deadpanned.

Deal was made with Trident Media Group agent Dan Strone and Colbert manager James Dixon.

” ‘America’ broke the ice in a big way for this category (of political humor),” Strone said. “But I don’t think you’ll see this book mirror ‘America.’ ”

“The Colbert Report,” based on an absurdist fake-news ethos similar to that of its “Daily Show” lead-in, has been a strong ratings performer since it launched last year, often retaining nearly the entire audience of “The Daily Show.” Skein has been picked up for a full 42-week run.

Colbert also stars in upcoming ThinkFilm pic “Strangers With Candy.”

After Colbert broke out with his own program, a book was perhaps inevitable. While many TV series don’t translate to the page, “America (The Book)” was a monster hit when it came out in 2004, its textbook format a perfect satirical gun in a hot-button election year. Title sold millions of copies and spent many months on bestseller lists.

The paperback edition of “America,” which will include new material, is due out in September and will be presented as a “Teacher’s Edition,” complete with corrections and cross-outs.